Rafter gauge



Nov. 14, 1950 R. c. HIGGINS 2,529,939

RAFTER GAUGE Filed May 14, 1948 Ray 6'. Higgins JNVENToR.

Patented Nov. 14, n 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RAFTER GAUGE Ray C. Higgins, Charleston, Ill.

Application May 14, 1948, Serial No. 27,052

2 Claims. Y l

This invention relates to novel and useful improvements in implements for use in carpentry Work.

An object of this invention is to determine various angles to be cut in lumber in an improved, iacile and dependable manner.

Another object of this invention is to obviate use of mathematical calculations in arriving at the value of angularity to be cut in building construction components particularly in building irregular shapes such as used in gables, roofs and the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide an extremely simplified device of the character described which is inexpensive and dependable.

Ancillary objects and features of novelty Will become apparent to those skilled in the art, in following the description of the preferred form of the invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein;

Figure 1 is a plan view of the preferred form of the invention, showing a piece of lumber in phantom applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a sectional view illustrating details of construction taken on the line 2-2 of Figure l in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary elevational view showing a second use of the invention, and;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary elevational view showing a further use of the invention.

This invention has been de-veloped in order to provide a device for easily cutting angles in lumber in building houses, stores, buildings of all descriptions. Of prime importance is the utility of the present invention when various and sundry values of angles must be determined and cut.

The instant rafter gauge includes a bottom Ill and top I2 rail with slots I4 and I6 respectively extending longitudinally thereof. A rst side I8 is rigidly attached at its ends to a pair of ends of the said top and bottom I0 and I2 respectively. A second side is attached at one end to the said top I2 and attached to the bottom Il) adjacent but not at the opposite end. Accordingly, a portion of the said side 20 projects below the said bottom ID. A slot 22 is provided in the side 2U and terminates in the projecting portion thereof.

Graduations are supplied on the top and bottom, preferably graduated in feet and inches. Also, graduations are supplied on the said side 20 for a purpose to be described subsequently.

An intermediate rail 24 extends between the 2 v top and bottom I0 and I2 respectively and isattached at each end by means of set screws 26 which project through the slots Ill4 and I6 and a suitable aperture in the intermediate rail 24. A suitable wing nut 28 or the like may be attached to the screw 20 in order to form a readily loosened fastening means thereby rendering the intermediate rail 24 adjustable longitudinally of the top and bottom rails.

A slide 30 having a slot 32 extending longitudinally thereof is provided and this slide has graduations thereon. The said slide is attached to the side 2|) by means of a screw 36 having a wing nut 38 detachably secured thereto. Thus, the slide is adjustably positioned Within the connes of the slot 22.

The said intermediate rail 24 may have the indicia bearing section thereof raised slightly if it is found desirable from the graduation bearing portion in order that the tip of the slide may be moved in a straight line longitudinally of the intermediate rail 24.

In operation a piece of lumber 4I) is used in association with the device as is seen in Figure 1 in order to cut a desired notch at the proper angle. The desired height in the gable or other portion of the roof is found in the intermediate rail and in this instance it is 5. The end of the slide is placed at 5. The base of the gable is determined by measurement from the side 20 and the intermediate rail take out both the top and the bottom graduations in order that the device be square. Then, the length of rafter may be measured directly from the slide 30 and a notch indicated as seen at A in Figure 1.

In determining other requisite angles, such as B in Figure 5, the rafter 40 may be turned on edge and the angle marked (by a pencil or other suitable scriber) between the sides defining the angle B.

Of course, for various considerations such as the desired pitch, the slide 30 may be raised in the slot 22 by means of the screw 36 riding in the elongated aperture 32 and the slot 22 in order to determine at what pitch the roof or gable is to be made.

It is understood that the above described uses of the invention are for illustrative purposes only 'and the invention may be subjected to use in determining and cutting various and sundry desired angles in the building trade.

While there has been described and illustrated but a preferred form of the invention, it is apparent that variations may be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. A rafter gauge comprising a bottom rail and a top rail having slots, a first side rigidly attached to said bottom and top rails, a second side having a slot and graduations, said second side being attached at one end to said top rail and projecting below said bottom rail, the slot in s-aid second side projecting below said bottom rail, anintermediate rail, meansfor attaching said intermediate rail to said top and bottomrail, said top and bottom rails having graduations thereon, a slide having an elongated aperture, and means adjust ably attaching said slide to the second side.

2. A rafter gauge comprising a bottom rail and a top rail having slots, a rst side rigidly attached to said bottom and top rails, aA second side having a slot and graduations, said second side being attached aty one end to said top rail and projecting below said bottom rail, the slot in said second side projectingbelow said bottom rail,

an intermediate rail, means for attaching said intermediate rail to said top and bottom rails, said top and bottom rails having graduations thereon, a slide having an elongated aperture, means for adjustably attaching said slide to the second side, and said attaching means including threaded members having nuts thereon.

RAY C. HIGGINS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 71,595 e Evans Dec. 3, 1867 200,060 Hitt Feb. 5, 1878 370,215 Staples Sept. 20, 1887 V612,690 White Oct. 18, 1898 637,373 Crawford Nov. 21, 1899 1,262,023 Crampton Apr. 9, 1918 

